Final Thoughts on Scab

We put Scab to rest this weekend. It was tough because I felt like the show was just getting legs. After a slow start were starting to fill our houses pretty regularly and I have to believe that if we had two or three more weekends left to run the show that we could have reached a lot more people.

This is one of the key problems with small storefront shows like ours: it takes a few weeks to really build any buzz and by the time word of mouth starts getting around the show needs to close. In our case, we don't have an enormous budget that enables us to rent out a theatre for 8 weeks so we have to deal with a shorter runs, usually 4 or 5 weeks. I would have loved to extend our run, but we couldn't, so we didn't and now I'm living with it.

On a more positive tip, the final weekend of shows was incredible; our closing on Saturday night was sold out to an incredile and emotional audience of friends and family and the whole experience has left me with incredibly fond memories of our wonderful cast and crew.

Someone in the cast (I can't recall who, maybe Casey?) was talking about how of all the shows they have been a part of that there are always those one or two people in every cast whose behavior, personality, acting style or stench makes you want to avoid them like the plague. They then opined that their experience with this cast was unique in that they didn't have those feelings about anyone, that everyone we assembled for our little production was perfectly pleasant; we all got on with one another and everyone's hygiene was impeccable. So, if nothing else, our company knows how to keep the weirdos out. Thank Thespis! (I'm copyrighting that phrase)

And that is what I learned from Scab...

A Personal Reflection on Opening Weekend of SCAB

On the evening of Friday before last I traveled to Chicago from New York to attend the gala performance of SCAB - or SCRB if you will. The flight was relatively uneventful, until something remarkable happened - even if only in my imagination. During our decent from 30,000 feet the sight of Chicago's cityscape - from my tiny oval in the side of the plane - was incredible and held within it's striking aspect the promise of a memorable trip. In the darkness the city lights lay out on a grid - like an army of fireflies marching to the edge of the horizon, where upon arrival, they disappeared and darkness again claimed reign of the night. I fumbled with my digital camera and attempted to catch the glorious view, but the results were blurred and failed to capture the glowing expanse of the city. I touched down just after midnight.



Saturday was a beautiful day. It was one of those days that, for me, captures the quintessence of spring in Chicago - at least as I recall it on blustery days during the winter. I arrived early at the theatre with Seth and Erica and while pouring glasses of Chardonnay into plastic cups and passing out chilled beers it struck me, that in that moment, I would've rather been no place else. It was among audience members shuffling into the unique, recently renovated EP Theater; actors stretching their muscles and preparing their voices before the performance; company members in the lobby just managing to keep the mounting anticipation beneath the skin and behind the voice (except for when it escaped in little, nervous burps of excitement); shoulders sitting in the darkness looking on as my friends took the stage and told their story that I felt sincerely at home.

On Sunday, which was again one of those remarkable spring days, I begrudgingly called a cab to take me to O'Hare in order to board a plane that would whiz me off back to New York. I wished that I could see the show again. I wished that I could, every night, stand behind the bar and hand out beers to those whom made the decision to come see our show.

Congrats to all involved with SCAB. Collision Theatre Rocks. Period. Have a wonderful run!

Scab is Open!

Scab is up!

It was really exciting to hear everyone's thoughts on the show after the performances this weekend. The ending of the show sure stirred up some healthy theatrical debate over brunch with my parents the next morning. If you have any comments about the show or questions that you would like answered, we invite you comments on this blog post as your forum. We'd love to hear from you!

But wait... have you even seen the show yet? Are you wondering how you can participate in this post-show blog-talkback as well? Only three short weeks remain until Scab closes, so make sure you reserve your tickets soon. You can find all the pertinent show information here.

Press

Yesterday we sent out the first press release for Scab. Wanna read it?

(Download the Scab Press Release)

Here are a few reasons that I think we deserve a ton of press for Scab:

(1) Sheila. She's awesome. Have you seen her website? I've been a Callaghan fan for a long time and I think her work is amazing. Not only is she a playwright, but she is also a graphic designer, sings lead in a rock band and also designs websites. We heart you.

(2) We're due. I think it's about time someone wrote a nice long article about the amazing group of people assembled as a part of Collision. It hasn't happened yet but why not? We have nice skin!

(3) Ladies! Our director and our design team are all women. Sheila, female. I don't think that happens very often. Um... girl power!

(4) Effort. It's hard to make press releases seem exciting but I'm trying! Really hard. This list is proof of that.

SCAB Artwork

So SCAB rehearsals are underway, which is very exciting. I've already booked a flight to Chicago for opening weekend. I can't wait to see how it all comes together. In light of rehearsals starting it is with great pleasure that I present the artwork for Collision Theatre Company's production of Sheila Callaghan's play SCAB to be directed by Libby Ford.

This is the front of the postcard:


This is the back of the postcard:


You can download the artwork for personal use or distributive purposes below*:

SCAB flyer front (HIGH RES)
SCAB flyer back (HIGH RES)
SCAB flyer front (LOW RES)
SCAB flyer back (LOW RES)

*The high res versions are best if you'd like to print the flyer. The low res version are best for emailing the flyer.

Also, if you have any comments about the artwork. (i.e. "Jason your a complete and utter genius!" or "Jason you need to have your head examined.") please feel free to voice your opinion in the comments.